SUNDERLAND GAVE THEIR FANS something to shout about yesterday, aside from the traditional chants of “Murray out”. The milestone may be a negligible one, but an 89th-minute equaliser by Daryl Murphy took the team into double figures for points gained in the Barclays Premiership. The celebrations were akin to an FA Cup Final win, which is proof that satire is not dead.
For much of the afternoon, fans directed abuse at their chairman, which is an indication of how little there was to distract their attention. Tottenham Hotspur matched Sunderland in the poverty of their play, drifting into nonchalance once Robbie Keane had pilfered the lead in the 38th minute, reacting smartly to a cross by Jermain Defoe. They remain fourth, but Martin Jol, the head coach, admitted that they “are still not a top side”.
Sunderland clung on. All the old touchstones, such as commitment, workrate and grit were present, without a hint of quality, inspiration or guile. Liam Lawrence briefly threatened from long range, but then missed the ball when Jonathan Stead prodded it across the face of goal. Kevin Kyle ran until his legs gave way but could not trouble Paul Robinson.
Shortly before the end, Murphy collected a pass from Julio Arca, outmuscled Paul Stalteri and poked a shot past the England goalkeeper. There was an explosion of emotion. Even then Sunderland almost embraced disaster when Jermaine Jenas missed an open goal. “That would have put the final nail in my coffin,” McCarthy said. “Interpret that how you want.”
After the reporting of last week’s dispute with Murray over the club’s transfer policy, the manager’s mood was particularly sour. “I don’t intentionally send the supporters home grumpy, but it’s a nicer feeling to have them shouting for the players.”
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Murphy was an unlikely saviour. Signed from Waterford last summer for £100,000, the Ireland Under-21 player had not scored for Sunderland, a statistic he shares with Stead and, at this level, with Kyle, the Scotland forward. “I’m delighted for him,” McCarthy said.
At least there was an exciting climax, although it was missed by the amorous couple who were caught having sex in the ladies’ toilets. They were escorted from the ground (a minor bonus) by a male and female steward, had their season tickets confiscated (ditto), and were responsible for many jokes about a lack of penetration. There was not much else to do.